The dining room fell into a profound silence.

In the midst of a quiet so intense that not even breathing could be heard, our gazes intersected.

As the heavy air lingered, I felt awkward about my emotional outburst.

‘Foolishly, why did I reveal so much to someone who knows nothing…’

I was simultaneously embarrassed. Why had I, usually so defensive and guarded, poured out my heart to a man who was irrelevant to my past traumas?

‘It’s not his fault that I have these traumas.’

Finding Edmun’s direct gaze too intense, I was the first to look away.

“I’ll leave first.”

As I pressed my hand on the table to stand up, a low voice interrupted.

“I’m sorry.”

Turning my head, I saw Edmun rising slowly, bowing his head.

“I apologize if my thoughtless remarks have caused you pain.”

His tone was even, but there was a genuine depth and purity to it.

An apology for a blunder was expected, but when one hasn’t received such basic decency for a long time, it feels strangely unfamiliar.

Especially since, as Ettrisha, I was surrounded by rude people, making a sincere apology from someone who disliked me all the more disconcerting.

“There’s no need to apologize that much. You were unaware of my situation and were merely suggesting a more efficient solution.”

“No, it was rude of me.”

His stubbornness was almost conscience-pricking.

“Really, it’s okay.”

“Apologies?”

Lirien, who had just entered the dining room, suddenly joined the conversation.

Rubbing her sleepy eyes, Lirien entered and immediately looked towards Edmun, standing expressionless. Her gaze then rolled down to the apple pie on the table.

“Are, are those Dorotan apples delicious…?”

She was referring to a different kind of apple.

Chuckling lightly, I went over to the naive-faced Lirien and tidied her hair. It was evident she had hurriedly woken up to not miss breakfast with me.

Lirien glanced quickly at Edmun and then whispered to me.

“Did I interrupt an important conversation?”

“No, we were just discussing what time Miss Lirien might wake up.”

“Oh my, you were waiting for me? I’m happy, Ettrisha.”

Lirien blushed and beamed with joy.

Aha, I just realized how much I liked her warm and comforting presence.

Even her timidity, naivety, and hesitance seemed endearing.

Edmun must also appreciate this unadulterated honesty in his sister. That’s why he’s so indulgent with her. Well, I feel the same way.

For a moment, recalling my in-laws and the sticky, unpleasant feelings that had accumulated, everything seemed to melt away, along with the lingering effects of his sincere apology.

“Lirien, shall we have apple pie together?”

“Sure, Ettrisha! What about you, Edmun?”

Edmun nodded indifferently.

Soon, we sat side by side, enjoying our meal, and by noon, I was coaxed by Lirien into a stroll through the garden.

It felt like a brief respite amidst the chaos, making me flutter with the sensation of having someone on my side. Thanks to this, I was able to enjoy the day without paying much mind to the usually quiet Edmun.

A brief peace amidst the tumult.

Late in the afternoon, the sound of an argument between Lirien and an uninvited guest reached my ears.

Who could it be? Surely, no one would dare create such a commotion in the Miphydian residence, favored by the Emperor.

As I passed through the first-floor hall, an eerie feeling made the nape of my neck tingle.

Rushing out to the garden, I spotted someone and my expression turned icy.

“Can’t you hear me? Get out of here! My wife is present……!”

A man with chestnut hair and caramel eyes was shoving Lirien’s shoulder roughly but stopped upon seeing me and waved.

“Ettrisha!”

I grimaced in annoyance.

Clenching my teeth, I glared at the person before me.

“Devon…”

My husband had returned.

I found myself sitting across from Devon in the mansion’s reception room, now devoid of any fond memories.

Gazing absentmindedly at the sunlight sparkling on the tea, I sipped it, unable to bear the boredom any longer.

After a while, Devon opened his mouth with a pitiful look.

“Ettrisha, what is this irresponsible behavior? They say the mansion burned down, and that you ran away. Do you have any idea how shocked I was?”

“…….”

“And to even cause an article about domestic strife, such rashness for a lady of the house.”

“…….”

“I don’t know who told you, but the infidelity is a misunderstanding. The only person I love is you. Let’s end this and go back together, shall we?”

Ha, my lips parted in a thin smile.

At first glance, it sounded like he was trying to coax and persuade me, but it was a reprimand not to act rashly.

Moreover, Devon’s claim of the infidelity being a misunderstanding was baseless.

He had grown accustomed to Ettrisha always believing whatever he said without any effort to prove himself.

“Ettrisha, are you even listening? Stop worrying me and.”

Thud! Annoyed, I set down my teacup on its saucer with a clatter, causing the petrified Devon to flinch. I gave him a faint smile.